How to hire a granulator operator

How to hire a granulator operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step granulator operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a granulator operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new granulator operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the granulator operator you need to hire. Certain granulator operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect granulator operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of granulator operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Granulator Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Granulator Operator		$14-22
   Mixer	In general, a mixer prepares dry chemicals and raw materials and combines them for use in safety boot manufacturing. Mixers provide training to work with chemicals under the regulations set by OSHA... Show more	$12-20
   Production Operator	A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Sops
   • GMP
   • FDA
   • Dryers
   • Quality Checks
   • Fluid Bed
   • Log Book
   • BPR
   • QA

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain qualifications by keeping current with current GMP standards.
   • Follow all dress codes including wearing proper PPE for the job your doing.
   • Perform in-process testing on compression product, and perform AQL inspections on finish coated, encapsulate, & compress product.
   • Maintain proper personal hygiene as required by cGMP s. Demonstrate punctuality and sense of responsibility through adherence to department attendance guidelines.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your granulator operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A granulator operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, granulator operators' average salary in north carolina is 29% less than in iowa.
   • Seniority. Entry-level granulator operators 34% less than senior-level granulator operators.
   • Certifications. A granulator operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a granulator operator's salary.

   Average granulator operator salary

   $38,668yearly

   $18.59 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level granulator operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a granulator operator job description

   A granulator operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a granulator operator job description:

   Granulator operator job description example

   • $3000.00 Sign-on Bonus!
   • Competitive rewards programs (401k matching, BRAVO rewards)
   • Career advancement (The More you Learn the more you Earn)
   • Tuition Reimbursement (We invest in your development)
   • Work/life balance

   
   
   Summary of Responsibilities: Operate a granulator machine that grinds recyclable TPU.

   Primary Responsibilities:

   • Conduct a shift exchange explaining issues during shift, discuss upcoming orders
   • Read and interpret paperwork (e.g. work orders, sales orders, or reprocessing notes)
   • Perform pre-operation checklist to ensure safety of machinery
   • Accurately weigh and record material in manufacturing software as required
   • Unload materials or virgin block from Gaylord; visually inspect and remove all contaminates
   • Start up and operate granulator, including guillotine knife and blender
   • Monitor particle size of granules and cleanliness of regrind
   • Operate a fork truck and/ or pallet jack bringing materials to and from the warehouse
   • Operate overhead hoists and lift carts to handle and package finished goods
   • Take samples as required
   • Observe machine to detect clogged blades and hopper
   • Disassemble/reassemble and clean granulator (including blades, screen, cradle, and bin)
   • Make minor changes and adjustments to machinery with little or no supervision (e.g. transition from material to material, clearing jams)
   • Follow all safety and lock-out procedures associated with the granulator and its operation
   • Prepare skids, kegs for return to warehouse with correct packaging material, labels and details
   • Perform material handling tasks and inventory control using barcode scanner
   • Attend daily shift meeting
   • Train other Operators when required
   • Recommend measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality
   • Data entry into computer to include tracking of machine time, total regrind per shift, etc.
   • Other duties as assigned

   Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

   • Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos
   • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and/or decimals
   • Ability to use a computer; including but not limited to manufacturing software
   • Ability to communicate effectively with workers and supervisor
   • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out complex multiple step instructions
   • Ability to deal with problems and non-standardized situations with multiple variables
   • Ability to work overtime if required to meet business demands
   • Ability to understand operation of machinery and fix machinery, mechanically inclined

   Education, Licenses, Certifications:

   • High School Diploma or GED preferred

   Experience:

   • Prior manufacturing experience preferred
   • One to three months related work experience preferred

   Physical Demands : While performing the duties of this job the employee must:

   • Be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
   • Be able to push or pull heavy objects up to 250 pounds
   • Be able to work 12 hours shifts
   • Perform repetitive tasks
   • Routinely stand, sit, hear, walk, and talk
   • Reach, climb, bend, kneel, crouch, twist and balance; sometimes in awkward or tight spaces
   • Have good close vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
   • Meet SWM certification requirements to operate Power Industrial Trucks

   PPE Requirements: Employees are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment including;

   • Safety shoes (steel toe or composite toe)
   • Safety Glasses
   • Bump Caps
   • Protective Gloves; when performing certain tasks
   • Hearing Protection; when required
   • Other personal protective equipment as required for certain tasks

   Work Environment: Conditions are that of a manufacturing environment.

   • Air Temperatures can range from cold to hot
   • Atmosphere may contain dust, fumes and odors
   • May include mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive and radiation hazards

   
   
   

   Key Words:
   Production
   Reprocessing
   Granulator
   Pelletizer
   Operator
   Manufacturing
   Plastics
   Extrusion
   Die

   Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of this position.

   
   
   

   An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or other protected status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. SWM International is committed to help individuals with disabilities participate in the workforce, and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at SWM, please email our Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected]

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right granulator operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your granulator operator job on Zippia to find and recruit granulator operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with granulator operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new granulator operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect granulator operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new granulator operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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